]]>Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the birth of Cameron Busby. My best friend.

40 Reasons To Love You in no particular order.

Your perfect balance of ‘salt’ and ‘pepper’ hair (52%, 48%)

The various degrees of education you’ve given us on the life of actual bees.

When you wear that dark green business shirt and your eyes look dark green even though they’re not.

How you remember something from the past that I feel guilty or embarrassed about and wait the perfect number of years to just ‘drop it in’ – reminding me I’m always accountable.

How you love your family.

The way you like things “just so”.

How well you know yourself. You know what you like, you know what you don’t, and you act accordingly.

Leadership. Word has it you’re a great boss.

You leave us all with a sense of mystery on who you truly are… like we might wake up tomorrow and find you were just a beautiful dream.

That car. Are you still driving that Astra or something?

When you’re tipsy and you speak louder and clearer (we heard you).

You’re the Buzz on the Fuzz!

How you sometimes don’t have a ‘valve’ of appropriateness and oh we better stop right there on that one.

That time you did your Achilles, and that time you did your ball, and that time you did your back.. and you never complain.

How when you’re really laughing hard at something you shut your eyes and try to contain the happiness but it’s unstoppable.

When you walk slightly pigeon toed, with that little bounce in your step like there’s a cupid angel flying behind you and lifting you by the belt.

How you look at your reflection in shop windows and think we don’t notice.

When you listen to us. You really listen, consider, reflect, advise.

Those weird instagrams about the pony who just wants everyone to leave him alone.

How every time you go overseas you get so sick and that time it was so bad you tried to get some of your holiday leave back as sick leave and it was actually totally valid. You never even left the hotel.

You’re available.

No judgment.

You’re always so polite to wait staff… even when they make you wait.

No expectation. You’re never disappointed by us.

How you sometimes find yourself in a predicament and try to think “what would Jesus do?”

That time you were rollerblading on Beaconsfield parade into that gnarly (yes gnarly) Head-wind and it pushed you backwards on your skates no matter how hard you tried to push forward (I believe you had to crawl?)

That story about your first day at your first ever job in media when you went out after work and got drunk and pulled an all nighter and went straight to work for day #2

The way you inhale your meal in six minutes and wait patiently for the rest of us to finish in normal time.

You tell me when I’ve ‘done bad’ like you’re a little conscience angel on my shoulder.

That time we had just met and got drunk and held hands and…. thank baby Jesus that was it.

How much media fragmentation has annoyed you more than anyone.

How you brought your Xbox away on holiday to Byron Bay that time.

How I’ve driven past your house 1,000 times and thought about dropping in unannounced for a cup of tea but then GOD ONLY KNOWS what you’re doing up there and it’s best we keep it that way.

How you sometimes text me “uh oh, what did Buzzy do?” and I get to guess.

Those teeth. World class.

How you share how you’re really really feeling.

How I feel 20-30% happier after seeing you.

That you know exactly what weights you need to do at the gym to have every muscle in your body sized to the precise portion you so desire.

No fuss.

The day before I met you, I had an intuitive feeling that someone special was coming into my life. You were starting at my work the next day, I didn’t know you but I filled your desk with fun (Buzz Lightyear figures and stickers of bees)… and when you arrived it made you so happy. I would see that smile 50,000 more times and it still wouldn’t be enough. You’d go on to have an impact on my life like no other person. Because there is only one of you, and we are so lucky to love you.

]]>http://www.julieanne.com.au/2019/03/busby/feed/0The Night St. Kilda Got it’s Soul Back | Hotel Esplanade Re-Openshttp://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/11/night-st-kilda-got-soul-back-hotel-esplanade-re-opens/
http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/11/night-st-kilda-got-soul-back-hotel-esplanade-re-opens/#respondFri, 23 Nov 2018 12:56:12 +0000http://www.julieanne.com.au/?p=1975I just got home from Hotel Esplanade’s first Friday night since re-opening this week. I wanted to jot a couple of things down while they were fresh in my memory.. while my heart is still...

I just got home from Hotel Esplanade’s first Friday night since re-opening this week. I wanted to jot a couple of things down while they were fresh in my memory.. while my heart is still elevated from the experience.

This week St. Kilda got its soul back. The Espy. Tonight I nestled into a table at one of the ten (I believe?) bars in the venue and watched the front door swing open every 6 seconds as people came in, one after another, looking up at the high ceiling and around from one bar to the other, smiling ear to ear with sheer, unbridled excitement. They would turn to their friends, “how good is this?!”… “oh thank god”… “look at that!”

It’s the same look I had on my face. This is something very special.

Now I know a lot of venues have this ‘presence’ yet there’s often something missing, a lack of substance below the surface but this venue’s history as the one of the great live music venues is palpable as you walk the floor.

Then you realise the detail. Nothing overlooked, from design, to menu, to cocktails, to staff. You can tell a lot about a venue from their bathroom. Thank heavens the owners of this establishment have encouraged their staff to be delightful, friendly, helpful, inviting. Someone greeting at the door, someone asking if they can help you, telling you it’s fine for you to leave your cumbersome bag behind the desk, someone offering a round of drinks because the (super tasty) food order was running slightly behind. Detail. Service. I’d almost forgotten what it was like.

I’m not going to go into detail on the plethora of bars and areas that you’ll no doubt see for yourself in due course (you must).

But I will go into detail on the people. The patrons. It was more like we were all at someone’s (epic) wedding, rock star guest list, dancing in celebration of this exciting, momentous occasion.. brought together by love. People from all walks of life. Quintessentially St. Kilda. The central dance floor (in front of the grand staircase) was heaving as we all sang in unison at the top of our lungs, “don’t you go out in the rain… don’t you go out in the… pour-ing RAIN!” And it was pouring (thumping) outside. Can you imagine? I’ll remember that moment for the rest of my life… I put my phone down (sorry guys, just before the chorus climax) and joined the dance floor with the biggest grin on my face. Like I was a kid again. The DJ certainly didn’t imagine it either, she could not take the smile off her face, none of us could. It’s ok, it’s cool to smile.

So that’s it. We’re going back tomorrow. It’s world class. Well done to all involved, you treated this icon with all the respect it deserved and we’ll be there to thank you for it time and time again.

]]>Fashion. It’s never really been my thing. Give me a print-dress any day, so there’s literally ‘zero’ choice or skill required on matching pieces or layering looks. When I have to create ‘outfits’ I’ve got adult version of OshKosh B’Gosh sets… specific pairs of (print) pants that only ever go with specific tops. The only time these single pieces ever met anything else in my wardrobe was the great ‘print clash’ trend of 2014, bless its ambition.

My partner Trent once told me, and continues to tell me, he loves my unique style and sense of fashion. He says it doesn’t follow trends but does it’s own thing. Wow. That was a lucky fluke. I’ll take it though.

Fashion is such a reflection of who you are.. a selection of how you want to feel. Something that will likely influence how other people perceive you. Sometimes I feel like I buy pieces just to confuse and annoy other people… red herrings in trying to figure me out. It worked so well on my sister once when I came home in a pair of faux giraffe print boots. “They are the ugliest thing I have ever seen” she said. Next day at work Chrissy says, “omg I love those where can I buy them.” Go figure.

When shopping for clothes the outcome is completely subject to how I’m feeling the day of the shop. I could be feeling very ‘Angelina Jolie’, going all dark and moody with a pop of sustainable khaki that will save the world based on its ethical production. Or on particularly daring shopping escapades I’ll own a bit of Olivia Palermo or Blake Lively (or my friend Fran Vavallo), pushing my styling skill & comfort zone while pulling vogue faces and shoulder poses in the fitting room. I’ll muse about how “I don’t have a stylist I put this together myself”. All the shop attendants have me figured out. I’m sure. They spot me as the girl (lady?!) with no idea and prep their fitting room scripts, “no you could definitely pull that off!… you’ve got the skin for it…”

I actually love the idea that people should be able to wear anything at any age. I’ve met people who can pull it off. Pairing their white trainers with flowing flower-print skirts & gold accessories. They are simply… cool. How? I’ll never know.

After I had my daughter two years ago, I felt a strong need to clear out my wardrobe of my old self. A fresh desire for minimalism. During the process there’s the internal dialogue that goes on where you’re trying to determine whether something is a ‘classic staple’ that has to stay or piece very much past it’s time.

So for now I’ll just keep the fashion roulette going. Move with the present moment. I’ll keep channeling the women who are representing my vibe on any given day of the week. We might as well be rocking these pair of pants together.

This is a sponsored post for Oxford, a brand I’ve personally found to be consistently flexible in their fashion over the years… they seem to take a relaxed and modern approach that suits me (and all my fashion feelings!)

]]>http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/11/fashion/feed/0Are. You. Serious. The Long Haul Anxiety “Moment” with My 18 Month Oldhttp://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/11/1957/
http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/11/1957/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 05:57:12 +0000http://www.julieanne.com.au/?p=1957 I’ve deliberated internally as to whether to share this story or not for the past few months. But today I saw a post in my community forum about a couple who’s neighbour yelled at...

I’ve deliberated internally as to whether to share this story or not for the past few months. But today I saw a post in my community forum about a couple who’s neighbour yelled at them overnight to “Shut their [newborn] baby up”. It brought back memories and feelings of my experience, so I’ve decided to share mine. This week is PANDA awareness week (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) from the 11th to the 17th of November… a time that we can (hopefully) all share, learn and grow together, to help people who experience Perinatal anxiety and also help the broader community understand it… so that we might be more tolerant, more compassionate, more one with each other (and each other’s little ones!).

I was on a long haul flight home with my partner and 18-month-old earlier this year. That sentence alone might either make you feel immediately anxious for me, or immediately annoyed at me for someone who would dare bring a child onto a long haul flight (enter “please don’t sit here” eyeball daggers). It’s pretty topical at the moment, long hauls and children… they’re not exactly ‘friends’ and there are stories a plenty from all sides of the experience. I thought we were doing pretty well. 14 hour flight. She slept for seven hours (high fives!), and was awake, and not-annoying, for six-and-a-half-hours. But there was 20 minutes. These are the 20 minutes every new parent knows. The crying. Nothing works. Not food, not entertainment, not cuddling, not screens, not stickers, not the special “wrapped present” you prepared just for this very moment because you read 10 articles with 10 tips on how to keep children quiet on long haul flights. Truth is the babies are feeling exactly how we are feeling about a long haul and just aren’t socialised to suppress it like we are as adults. Truth is these 20 minutes happen from time to time but usually in our own domain. In our homes, in our cars, in our shopping centres even – and we can usually deal. But on a long haul… you’re on show. You know there are literally 100 people wishing bubs would stop. None more so than you.

For me personally, I knew it was terrible timing. The 20 minutes crying came right in the middle of the night when the cabin is dark, all the food service is done, people have their eye-covers and blankets on – it’s the official down time. Not for my daughter. She didn’t get the memo on re-adjusting time zones mid flight, bless her natural sleep cycles. I was stressed but actually feeling like I was doing ok. I was so proud of her for the seven-hour sleep, for the event-free waking hours… I felt the people in the plane (my fellow countrymen and women returning home!) all had that 10% compassion, I figured they were all thinking “poor parents, bet they’re doing everything they can”. But then it came. From five rows back. Someone yelled at us. “Oh… COME ON!”

Are. You. Serious.

For a brief moment I had to check it actually happened. Were they yelling at us or having a reaction to a scene of Game of Thrones in flight entertainment, but alas, no screens were active. They yelled at me. My immediate reaction was to get up and turn around and give them PLENTY. But they were anonymous. Five (or six?) rows back… to the left, by the window? I couldn’t tell. I just turned around, and cried, and cried. A minute earlier I was at the edge but holding it together. Just. Then they broke me. My beautiful partner reinforced my strength and their cowardice, and the flight attendants couldn’t have been more comforting (asking my what I needed… not what my baby needed but what I needed, thank you).

People have the power. We all have the power. To break people or to support them. Every day. Keep an eye out, you’ll be surprised how often the decision is before you. How you choose to deal with it is the sum of your existence.

If you’ve been connected with me for a while you’ll know I’m naturally a positive, optimistic person – my posts are usually about lifestyle experiences, improvement and growth – less about venting, complaining or telling negative stories. Which is why I’d not told this one. But hearing the story today about a young couple who were yelled at, in their own apartment encouraged me to tell this story.

Check out PANDA and share some of the great initiatives such as the Mental Health Checklists for Expecting and New Mums and Dads. I’m also a new and big fan of the recently launched The Father Hood, a new destination for Australian dads which highlights that “Fatherhood changes you. Fatherhood changes everything. The problem is the portrayal of dads hasn’t changed with the rest of the world. There is no modern father in the media that we like – the couch-potato, the sap, the buffoon. We’re coming for you, Daddy Pig. Your time is up.” They “showcase men as fathers who are doing it their way and doing it well” and I for one am a big supporter of this new initiative, having seen so much support pointed at me as a mum, yet barely anything available to my partner as a new father.

Ever since having my daughter two years ago I’ve literally practiced not feeling guilty. Practice is the operative word here… it’s just that, a practice, a disciple, something you need to make a concerted and repetitive effort to own… something you train for, something you get better at with experience and time. Lately, however, that last one has been wavering for me and guilt has been creeping in, finding cracks and making itself comfortable.

On the weekend I was talking with two friends about our mutual feeling of guilt for not having gone to our child care working bee. Interestingly we all had different and very valid reasons for not being able to make it (ranging from no sleep all night, to quality family time out of town and needing to sort admin and chores for the week) yet we were all feeling this huge pull of guilt for not being able to be there. It was weighing on us and our respective mindsets heavily. I found it so frustrating and upsetting that, knowing these women and myself as I do, we could be so consumed by parental guilt. Why does this guilt-thing grab us, make us feel less than we are, make us worry, make us question ourselves?

As a parent, I find the feeling of guilt manifests in new, clever and manipulative ways. Guilt around work life balance, around quality time, around development activities, around child-care drop off tears, around stimulation, around nutrition, around having a solid relationship with your partner as a point of reference for them, around not “putting your stuff onto them”, around community contribution, around living a fulfilled life (so they have a fulfilled mother!), around global issues awareness, around sufficient exposure to nature, the big wide world, a somewhat newfound guilt (for me anyway) about the state of the planet.
One of my friends spoke about her guilt coming from her mother not being very involved in extra curricular activities when she was growing up (she worked two jobs). The result for her is a cloud on her own role as a young mother now, and her perception of every challenge as it comes up (i.e. which lens she chooses it to view within). Fascinating. Her self awareness of this deeper issue is perhaps half her battle with overcoming parental guilt. I’m glad she’s thought about it to that degree. For my other friend said she finds herself comparing herself to others who perhaps appear to be doing more. She perhaps doesn’t feel good enough because she’s not doing it all. There is so much.

So, how do we own this guilt free parenting thing? Back to practice.

Practicing together… for me, case in point, three of us mothers spoke about our guilt-feels together and felt better for it. Instead of stressing ourselves out and over-committing to yet another thing, we said no. Instead of competing on our hardship stories we told the truth and were compassionate towards one another – and helped psych each other out of guilt by reminding each other of our respective awesomeness (and how our kids are thriving).

I said to my girlfriends; “I think because of our general awesomeness and x-factor our kids are already ahead. So we have credits in the bank for sh*t like this without needing to feel bad. Our kids like us when we are chill and if that means we need Sunday to ourselves that’s the best decision we can make for our families. We are all KILLING it I’m telling you KILLING IT. Look how our kids are thriving. We could literally take a month off in Bali and they would still be ahead. We deserve a medal.”

We need to practice going easier on ourselves. Daily. A pending decision building a feeling of guilt? Don’t even need to think twice about it. Don’t give it the time of day. Don’t let yourself. Redirect your mind to a more productive feeling. There is SO much opportunity for guilt, if we let it consume us a little it’s going to grow arms and legs and have a seat at our dinner table. Let’s simply not going to let that happen. Let’s be in charge here.

Guilt is powerful. It’s power needs to be respected, anticipated and challenged. Time and time and time and time again.

]]>http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/10/guilt-free-parenting-practice/feed/0Hire A Hubby shows its support for R U OK? Day on Thursday 13 Septemberhttp://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/09/r-u-ok-day/
http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/09/r-u-ok-day/#respondTue, 11 Sep 2018 04:36:14 +0000http://www.julieanne.com.au/?p=1941 Australia’s largest handyman franchise, Hire A Hubby, is uniting its local franchisees on Thursday 13 September to raise awareness for National R U OK? Day in a bid to encourage hubbies to ‘check in’...

Australia’s largest handyman franchise, Hire A Hubby, is uniting its local franchisees on Thursday 13 September to raise awareness for National R U OK? Day in a bid to encourage hubbies to ‘check in’ with those around them. Local psychologist, Sarah Hall will be discussing warning signs at Hire A Hubby’s local cell group for hubbies.

With an average of eight people per day dying from suicide in Australia, R U OK? Day is based on the idea that a conversation can save a life. According to Sarah Hall, suicide remains a massive health issue and one we need to continue to have an open conversation about.

Local hubby, Grant Carr, from Hoppers Crossing, who was recently awarded Most Valuable Franchisee because of the mentoring he provides new hubbies, is very passionate to get behind this cause.

“For the past five years Hire A Hubby has supported The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Prostate cancer awareness is aligned to our values, and sadly is also an issue some hubbies have had to face. We know when men receive a prostate cancer diagnosis, it can cause shock and depression. For this reason we really wanted to get behind R U OK? Day this year to ensure our hubbies are supported with whatever issue they may be facing. We have brought Sarah to talk to our guys about some of the warning signs,” says Carr.

As a trained psychologist Sarah Hall is used to having open discussions with clients about their struggles and level of risk. She highlights four warning signs people need to look out for:

Change in physical appearance. Check to see if those around you look tired, appear flat, are constantly run down, have constant headaches, eat more or less than usual, react more emotionally than the situation warrants, are quick to anger or seem overwhelmed by tasks that would previously be manageable.

Changes in mood: Check to see if those close to you seem more irritable or snappy than usual, appear more anxious or worried about everything, are using alcohol or other drugs more than usual or are more nervous than usual.

Changes in how thoughts are expressed: Check to see if those around you struggle to see the positive side, seem to think the worst, over-personalise situations, say things that sound confused or irrational, or complain of having difficulty switching off.

Changes in behaviour:Check to see if those around you seem more withdrawn than usual, have less pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, have concentration difficulties, take on more work to avoid socialising or are not performing to usual standards.

“While life will always have its ups and downs and stressful events, creating more of a sense of connection within society could help people deal with these difficult times and avoid suicide risk. Given that men are stereotypically less likely to engage in these types of discussions, it’s fantastic to see the predominantly male Hire A Hubby team getting behind this initiative,’ says Hall.

The idea for Hire A Hubby was born back in 1996, when the founder was doing some handyman work in his lounge room and his wife’s friend quipped, “gee he’s handy, can I hire your hubby?” 22 years later, Hire A Hubby is Australia’s largest handyman business. With 375 franchises in Australia and the UK, Hire A Hubby provides handyman, home maintenance and trades work services for individuals and companies throughout Australia and the UK.

]]>http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/09/r-u-ok-day/feed/0Ten Totally Different Dinner Experiences in Byron Bayhttp://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/05/ten-totally-different-dinner-experiences-byron-bay/
http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/05/ten-totally-different-dinner-experiences-byron-bay/#respondMon, 28 May 2018 22:53:22 +0000http://www.julieanne.com.au/?p=1920This May we were lucky enough to spend almost the whole month in one of our favorite domestic escapes, Byron Bay. With more time on our hands than we would usually have (long weekends and...

]]>This May we were lucky enough to spend almost the whole month in one of our favorite domestic escapes, Byron Bay. With more time on our hands than we would usually have (long weekends and the like) we were able to slowly work our way through the local advice and try a few different restaurants (some classic icons, some new to the bay) – these are their stories…cue Law and Order sound effects.

LIGHT YEARS First cab off the rank (thanks to local recommendation from my good friend Sarah Lawson) was Light Years. The FB messenger description she gave was “Vietnamese restaurant, delicious food, great cocktails, cool vibe” and boy was she spot on. We ended up returning to this place a total of four times for either the cocktails, the food or the experience itself.

TRY: The Hot and Numbing Fish. The Spiked Kombucha cocktail.
NOTE: Not really the kind of place you’d want to bring kids – more for a date night or group vibe. Go early, get your name on the list and then go to The Beach Hotel for a drink until your table is ready… they’ll call you.
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IL BUCO was a quick one for us. Bay Lane – in and out early dinner with our almost 2Y daughter. We went to Il Buco because it had been a traditional ‘must do’ in years gone by (and was still recommended by locals)… plus it was approachable and easy for a walk in and quick, authentic Italian service. Pizza was great but we were hoovering it down – I’d say this is perfectly placed as your hangover night not your main play night.

Image: Trip Advisor

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JONSONS – Well thank you Jonsons for bringing a delightful new restaurant experience to the Byron Bay to do list! We went for dinner with local friends Matt & Christina and were totally impressed by the menu, food itself, cocktails, service and ambiance. Booths are fantastic. We felt as though we could have been anywhere in the world. I couldn’t get a picture of the food as it was a bit dark and honestly we were just having too much fun. Can’t wait to get back there.

TRY: Seafood risotto (served authentically on a flat plate so as not to overcook the risotto rice).

Image: Byron & Beyond

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RAE’S ON WATEGOSwas always going to be on the list for at least a few visits on this trip… in my Google Maps review I called Rae’s the jewel in the crown of Wategos. Probably the main thing to mention here is the freshen-up the establishment has undergone, a crisp (linen) interior update coupled with a more approachable and friendly experience with staff paved the way for a refreshing menu selection that didn’t disappoint. Go for the view, stay for the way it makes you feel (sing it!) – there’s no place quite like it.

TRY: The Spanner Crab and Chilli Linguini (been on the menu since day #1 I believe). Oh and Oysters. Oh and Cured Kingfish.
NOTE: You can and should book. Make sure you arrive before sunset (also a great lunch location for this reason). We took our almost 2YO daughter a couple of times and it’s fine with kids, bright, open, friendly.

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MISS MARGARITA is a restaurant I’d been to before for nachos, burritos, cocktails and fun vibes. With a location opposite The Beach Hotel and on the corner near the actual beach, Miss Margarita is kind of set for success – but they don’t rest on their laurels. On this trip we went there twice, and one of my favourite visits was for a late night snack with my sister post-pub. Nachos could use a little extra cheese so don’t be shy in asking.

NB: No bookings, get there early. Kid friendly (but most of the adult dishes are pretty spicy so stick to the kids menu).

Image: Trip Advisor

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ELIXIBA came to my attention when my partner came running back to the car telling me how excited I would be about this plant based restaurant. Elixiba is self described as having a “fresh menu made from scratch with wholefood ingredients including the Best hand cut, spiced chips in the shire. Exclusive craft beer, herbal cocktails, and elixirs.” Enough of that, it’s all about the Honourable Nachos (best seller). Go here for the food when you’re hungry, not necessarily for your night out on the town. Kid friendly.

NB: Don’t be fooled by the eclectic branding (that makes this look more like a ride at Disneyland than a restaurant) – go for the food.

BEACH BYRON BAY RESTAURANT is a classic. Possibly one of the best-positioned restaurants in the country, you literally feel you’re floating on water. This trip we went to Beach Byron Bay for breakfast (twice) and a special dinner. Being that it’s almost all about the view – you’ll want to get there before sunset so take that into your consideration (or perhaps go for lunch). I say almost all because this trip saw the food at Beach Byron Bay lift its game. We hear there’s a new chef in town and wow – we could tell. The quality of the food now matches the view. Some wait staff still seem to be learning some ropes but to us that just meant they checked in more often and weren’t arrogant about the place.

TRY: The King Prawn Entrée. Taste sensation. Quite kid friendly for breakfast and lunch but perhaps consider other restaurants for dinner with kids (not because they weren’t great with our little one, just because it’s quite a fine dining experience).

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THE BALCONY BAR AND OYSTER CO has come a long way in the last couple of years. What used to be a tapas menu is now updated to a full, well thought out delightful options. At the time of this review they were offering $1 oysters on Wednesday’s from 5-6pm. I ate 36! The Balcony is still a must-do restaurant on any Byron trip in my opinion. Seems like they’re well set to cater for groups for wedding wash-ups too – plus a nice private dining room. Book the couches on the balcony for 8 people if you can. Heaps of kids there every time we go.

Image: Trip Advisor

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THE ROADHOUSEwas a funny one. I loved it but it made me nervous. The Pizza at The Roady was hands-down some of the greatest I’ve had in years. Honestly amazing. Service was hit and miss, some staff were just lovely and uber-helpful while others were a little too cool for school. Some locals coined this place “The Rudehouse” but I think that’s going a little far. Though I get a sense they’d rather be off my review lift for some reason – they seem to prefer to achieve their culinary excellence quietly. Having said that, I don’t need to be pointed out that there are already water glasses on the table when I ask for a glass for my beer… if you don’t have beer glasses you can just say so and we have the same outcome without me feeling like a loser *vent over*… now back to the Pizza. I can see why this place is packed with a line out the door from 5.30pm. Definitely give it a try, any misgivings on waiting for a table will be forgiven by your taste-buds.

NB: No bookings. The pizza restaurant is actually a new addition next to the café/restaurant that you’ll find online. So the pizza restaurant is a bit of a mystery (and they like it that way). Prob not one for the kids (let those taste buds develop to a point they can appreciate this amazingness).

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TASTE OF MELAKAis last but not least thanks to a recommendation form our local friends Tara and James. Authentic Malaysian. Best Roti I’ve had in years. Sambal prawns to die for. Melaka open from 5.30pm and are full house by 5.45 and the food is why. Incredible deep flavours. Make sure you’re really hungry so you can appreciate it. Not super cheap (as you may expect from the fit-out, without being rude – it just looks unassuming).

TRY: Everything and let me know your favourite for when I go back. Kids are fine here but it’s pretty dark and moody.

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Special Mention to DUK on Bay Lane, the only place that was recommended by almost every local (but we couldn’t quite get to).

]]>http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/05/ten-totally-different-dinner-experiences-byron-bay/feed/0Why Fit Fads Might Be Doing You More Harm Than Goodhttp://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/03/fit-fads-might-harm-good/
http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/03/fit-fads-might-harm-good/#respondThu, 29 Mar 2018 04:28:24 +0000http://www.julieanne.com.au/?p=1907 Australian fitness expert and founder of Result Based Training gyms, Travis Jones tells us why fitness fads are doing your body more harm than good. This is a guest post. From trends such...

Australian fitness expert and founder of Result Based Training gyms, Travis Jones tells us why fitness fads are doing your body more harm than good. This is a guest post.

From trends such as ‘Veganuary’, to living solely on soups, juices and ‘miracle’ supps – the health and fitness industry is rife with wild crazes. But what harm are such trends doing to your physique results and, more importantly, your health?

It’s time to stop falling prey to the myriad of weight loss fads, particularly these keys three:

THE FAD: FAT BURNER PILLS AND SKINNY TEAS

No pill, powder, potion or skinny tea can void the fundamental weight loss principles and magically give you the looks of a magazine cover model. So, don’t fall for the outrageous claims pushed by supplement companies.

THE RISK:

Supplements are not bound by the same regulations as medications, so what appears on the label may not always be as it seems. Combining supplements with some medications can actually do more harm than good.

For example, you may increase the potential for internal bleeding and strokes by combining blood thinning agents – think aspirin or warfarin – with supplements such as Vitamin E and ginkgo biloba.

DO THIS INSTEAD:

Use supplements scientifically proven to work in high-quality human studies (not flawed animal ones), such as caffeine and yohimbine. But note: their benefits are tiny and can only be reaped if you have not already built a tolerance to the compound.

THE FAD: INTERMITTENT FASTING PROTOCOLS

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating style based on cycles of fasting and eating. For example, the popular 16 hour fasting method followed by the consumption of all daily calories within an 8-hour ‘feeding window’.

Many people do see impressive weight loss results when they first begin following this approach. However, this weight loss doesn’t occur because IF has any unique fat burning benefits, as is often claimed. Instead, people lose weight because they consume less food; a simple calorie deficit.

THE RISK:

Some people actually overeat during the feeding period, due to a drop-in blood sugar levels and an increase in hunger during the fasting hours. This only makes it harder to shed excess fat.

IF can also have an adverse effect on some people’s health. For example, researchers have found it can cause infertility, and menstrual and endocrine problems in female rats. And while there are no comparable studies involving humans, many women have experienced similar effects.

What’s more, IF tends to pair with elevated levels of the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol. If you already have high levels, an additional increase can harm the immune system, increase food cravings (thus lead to overeating), causes insulin resistance in some cases, and elevates the risk of developing various medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease and certain forms of cancer.

DO THIS INSTEAD:

Make sure you’re in a daily calorie deficit, meaning you consume fewer calories than you burn. A negative energy balance is a must if you want to reduce the number on your scale. Apps such as MyFitnessPal and Cronometer can make the process of tracking your calorie intake less time-consuming.

Raise your daily protein intake to between 1.8 and 2.7 gram per kg of body weight. Protein is the most satiating macronutrient, helping to keep your calorie intake in check. Adequate protein also prevents muscle loss when dieting, supporting both your metabolism and sex appeal.

THE FAD: ELIMINATING ENTIRE FOOD GROUPS

Many popular diets rule out entire food groups. One example is the ketogenic diet – an eating style that restricts your daily carb intake to below 50 grams.

THE RISK:

Ruling out entire food groups is unsustainable long term for most people. If you can’t maintain an eating style long-term, you’ll probably regain the weight lost (plus some) eventually.

Secondly, such eating styles can cause nutrient deficiencies – in terms of the ketogenic diet, two common ones are selenium and vitamin C deficiencies. Considering grains are the primary source of magnesium for most people, many keto followers are also deficient in this crucial mineral.

DO THIS INSTEAD:

Start lifting weights to rev up your metabolism and prevent muscle loss while you slim down. One study by the University of Padova, Italy found that the metabolic rate of the subjects increased by an average of 24 per cent on the day after a high-intensity strength training routine with short rest periods. This led to 452 additional calories burned over a 22-hour period, on average.

Secondly, get enough sleep. One meta-analysis published in the journal Sleep involving 604,509 adults found that those who sleep well are 55% less likely to become obese. The primary reason is that getting enough sleep benefits your brain chemistry, which causes you to feel less hungry and to consume fewer calories. Aim for at least seven hours of shut-eye each night to make it easier to control your food intake.

Travis Jones is the founder of Result Based Training gyms with over 20 locations across Australia. On top of having over 15 years industry experience, Travis holds a Cert 3 and 4 in Fitness, CHEK Institute Certified Coach, Poliquin Level 3, AOK Health Corrective Exercise Specialist, FMA Strength Institute Level 3, Australian Strength Coach Level 2.

]]>http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/03/fit-fads-might-harm-good/feed/0Hey… It’s Natural Baby – 9 of My Favourite Natural Products from Bub’s First Yearhttp://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/01/natural-baby-9-top-favourite-natural-products-bubs-first-year/
http://www.julieanne.com.au/2018/01/natural-baby-9-top-favourite-natural-products-bubs-first-year/#respondSun, 07 Jan 2018 07:05:19 +0000http://www.julieanne.com.au/?p=1884In the past couple of months I’ve had a few different people reach out to me and ask what natural products I use for my bub. Everyone (and their baby) are different and their reasons...

]]>In the past couple of months I’ve had a few different people reach out to me and ask what natural products I use for my bub. Everyone (and their baby) are different and their reasons for asking have been of particular interest to me. Some people are trying everything and anything to help with skin complaints like eczema and odd tummy rashes, whilst others are growing a little more cautious about the long term effects and safety of ingredients every-day on-shelf products for both themselves and now little ones. One person had recently watched “The Human Experiment” on Netflix and has dedicated 2018 to turning their home chemical free and started in the nursery. Whatever the reason, I’m pleased to provide the list of my favourite natural baby products I’ve used. I wanted to shout out particular thanks to Justine Mills, Paulette Bordignon, Suyinh Beardsley and my Mother’s Group (The Nibblers) who introduced me to a lot of these products to begin with. The ones I’ve listed here are tried and tested personally by me and bub, and they’re on this list I’ve purchased them again and again… because they do what they say they will! We don’t use natural products exclusively but like to try and incorporate them as a preference where we can. Nothing I’m writing here is #sponsored #gifted #paid – these are all true, natural (pun!) recommendations.

ACURE Baby Fix It

This lil product is about the size of a glue-stick or oversized lip balm (and works the same mechanically, with the wind up product release from the base). At The Well Store where I buy it, the product description says “makes scrapes, grazes and sores better, with the benefits of organic pomegranate, borage and pumpkin oils that deeply nourish the skin and help in cell regeneration.” I’ve used it on bub for minor rashes, cuts and blisters (new sandals!), rosy cheeks after sun exposure (yes… it happened, I’m sorry, I learned). It was also good to keep in the bottom of the pram because it doubled fine as a lip balm for me when I didn’t have time to rifle through my bottomless mum-bag to find mine.

WELEDA Teething Powder

When a friend first described this product to me she explained that the babies go crazy for it – and it’s true. In the middle of the night when lil’ one was up and frantc, she would see this jar come out and actually calm down knowing the effects of what was about to hit her. It’s the consistency of talcum powder and a little hard to administer (like the top is annoyingly too small for a teaspoon – or think of baby blowing talcum powder in your face off a spoon at 3am) BUT, it does seem to calm the baby down. This was a good go-to for us on the nights that we didn’t feel we ‘quite’ needed Nurofen or Panadol but needed something. (i.e. not when you’re two weeks deep in molar city). I buy from Nourished Life.

GRAHAM’S SunClear Natural Sunscreen

Oh my god how bad are natural sunscreens? Even the good ones are bad. I went on a mission. Bought 10 different kinds and this one sucked the least. Mainly because it goes on clear (never white), isn’t too thick to get out of the bottle (seriously some other brands are stuck in that bottle like concrete). I personally don’t know if this is designed for babies particularly but speaking from personal experience, at least I could get it on her which is more than I can say for a lot of the other brands (and surely that gains some points for effectiveness… being able to actually use it). Buy the larger one for home/beach (150g) as you do tend to need to re-apply being that it’s an SPF 30 – but the 50g version is a good emergency size to keep in the car/pram (and bonus, this product doesn’t get your seats and straps stained all white). I buy from Hello Charlie.

GAIA Baby Mousturiser

I bought a bottle of this when I was pregnant (in preparation) and it was gone before the baby even arrived. I use it more on myself than her… it’s consistency is ‘thin’ and light so goes on too easy, travels well to gym/yoga in terms of size and the click-cap. I haven’t moisturised our baby much but when I have, her skin drinks this up and is super soft. I buy from health shop but know this is also available at most standard chemists (Amcal / Chemist Warehouse etc).

LITTLE INNOCENTS Hair and Body Wash

Aint nobody got time for hair and body to be washed separately on bub. Some days you know the wash-off from the shampoo is all their skin is getting as a scrub. Little Innocents Hair and Body Wash is handy because the consistency is more gel than cream (which I just found soaps up quicker and better). We travelled with this one because we could all use it (and the cap was ‘pretty’ good for travel compared to most). I’ve tried a bunch of others and think they’re honestly much of a muchness but the grab and squeeze is good here – plus you can throw it in the bath as a toy to distract while you’re doing the hair thing. I buy direct from the brand itself at Little Innocents. *Note I originally trialled this product as a #gifted sample for All or Nothing but since purchase it as a happy paying customer.

WATER WIPES… wipes made (only) using water and fruit extract

Keepin it clean. Nothing much needs to be said here. They’re the best. They work well and when it comes to chemical exposure to baby’s skin, this was one area I was most interested in keeping clear from all those dozens of ingredients you can’t even pronounce. I don’t know why – I don’t have any scientific evidence or anything but it just seems better to keep this skin contact area simple. I know we think that wipes are wipes are wipes, but if you turn the packet around on this versus a lot of the supermarket shelf brands – you’ll be surprised to see the difference and these work just as well. It annoys me that these aren’t cost-effectively available for everyone and anyone who would prefer to use them. Buy in bulk (Hello Charlie 12 pack) and wait for sales to keep costs down – good luck trying not to use these to clean your bench as well as you’re baby, they’re simply the best.

WELEDA Calendula Nappy Cream

My friend Suyinh told me her baby had nappy rash one day, she used this overnight and it was completely gone the next day. I went out and bought it the next day and had the same experience with my first and ongoing uses. I don’t know what it is about this ingredient list but they have perfected it… Weleda themselves describe it as [having] “carefully selected formulation of beneficial ingredients, this rich cream cares for delicate baby skin in the nappy area. Skin friendly lanolin and zinc oxide provide a protective barrier against excessive moisture Organic almond oil and precious organic calendula and chamomile extracts provide gentle care and soothe the skin.” So obviously the only watch out is that it contains almond oil so beware for nut allergies (in fact where most child care centre’s allow you to provide your own cream, they’re often not allowed to contain nut ingredients such as this one, hence the next product on this list as an alternative). This brand is available in most good health stores and online retailers but also available directly from Weleda.

THANK YOU Nappy Balm (We use this for child care, where they can’t accept above product containing nuts/almond oil due to allergies). Great alternative to the above mentioned nappy balm and well priced too. A little goes a long way. This product is available at Coles, Priceline and also online through the Thank You brand directly.

LAFE’S Baby Insect Repellant

I had to search high and low for a chemical free bug repellant that was easy on the skin and actually worked. The search took me all the way to the US of A (but there are Australian retailers like Biovea selling Lafe’s Baby Bug Repellant online). This one is in a handy sized bottle and I’ve used it on myself – it’s not at all harsh and seems to do the trick in terms of repelling the main blood-sucking winged bugs. I’m interested in any other recommendations in this area (especially from local brands) if you know of any!

If you have a good recommendation for a natural baby product please comment below or on Facebook to share the love.

]]>In a recent post on “Career in Focus: Fashion“, I interviewed Hannah Liston (Fashion Designer) on breaking into the industry, misconceptions and advice for people starting out. Today, Hannah shares the compelling story of her last trip to Bangladesh – a country with a colourful and sometimes devastating history, who’s people’s pride and attitude are making for a bright and fruitful future in fashion manufacturing.

Julie Anne:Tell us about your recent experience in Bangladesh.

Hannah: I’m a senior fashion designer. I was on a fabric/trim sourcing trip and to go-see some perspective factories we were hoping to manufacture with. It was the first trip desingers had been on in our company since the Bangladesh collapse and more recent terrorist threats. Having been in the industry a long time and some of the human conditions I’ve seen – I was bracing for what I might see in such a scarred country. What I found was the best human working conditions i’ve ever seen and factories that were like a gated oasis in the middle of torn up villages.

J:What was most compelling about this experience for you?

H: What really gripped me was the gratitude from every factory owner director for ‘showing faith in our country again’ and ‘thank you for showing our workers that the western world is coming again.’ They need us to come back for their survival. The women of that country stole my heart, seeing their smiles through only their eyes and the bashful pride when I took their hand, shook it and told them they had done a great job. Sometimes you don’t realise the effect you can have on one single person in a day. The initiatives the government have put in place show that they are serious about protecting westeners, removing the connotations from ‘Made in Bangladesh’ since the collapse and getting food back on peoples plates – they kept just asking us to tell people about it … and here I am!

J: You mention you were bracing yourself for the worst but were pleasantly surprised with the oasis like factories. What do you think the disconnect here is between expectation and reality – sensationalised news? Or simply how far the local industry has come since the collapse and terrorist threats.

H: Having been a fashion designer for my entire career, I’ve had exposure to both ends of the scale when it comes to garment manufacturing. I’ve seen human conditions, several times, that has brought me to tears and made me question what I do and why. I went to a photography exhibition in Japan, which showed the bodies of the Bangladeshi workers with tears of blood being pulled from the rubble, and followed the horrific story of the factory collapse on the news. I was bracing for what I’d see on my factory tour in Bangladesh, because from what I knew in my naivety, and what the news had taught me – it was going to be worse than scenes, which had already scarred me in China. I’m not sure if sensationalised is the word I’d choose, but I do believe we were fed the notion that this was how all Bangladesh manufacturing was. I think this shaped my expectation, and having seen so much unrest and violence on the news I was emotionally preparing to see worse than what I’d seen before. What that county is doing to heal it’s scars and the abundance of hope really took me aback. I was brought to tears.

J: What practical steps can the average Australian consumer take to help protect and grow the industry in Bangladesh (are there go-to websites of brands to buy and avoid)

H: A growing global movement in the Fashion industry are labels opting to become ‘Transparant’. This is essentially a brand giving their customers full view into their practices and manufacturing facilities. Some are even going as far as giving traceability to the farm the cotton was grown on. Australians and all consumers need to be conscious of who they are buying from and where their ethics lie. We need to educate ourselves. The standards Bangladesh operators now have to hit are higher than many other cotton rich countires, or the government will simply shut them down – they are taking the rebuilding of their economy seriously. Because of this, many are rated as ‘Green’ factories. I even went to one factory who had a water filtration plant which cleaned all water to drinking standard and provided water to the surrounding impoverished in the shanties around their guarded walls. We need to make sure we are supporting these manufacturers.

What a lot of people don’t realise is that buying Australian Cotton is more beneficial to the environment than many organic cottons. The staples are longer so we yield more from the plant, the garment lasts longer, we contribute to less landfill and, at the end of its life it will biodegrade. There are many factories building relationships with the Australian Cotton stakeholders – how great it would be to help build both of these economies by simply buying a t-shirt.

J:It sounds like the locals wanted you to ‘share their story’ and ‘tell people about it’, is this specifically telling people about the government initiatives and new leaf tuned over with the manufacturing industry in Bangladesh?

H:What I felt they wanted was Austrlaian consumers and brands mindset to change, that ‘made in Bangladesh’ does not mean poor quality or that they are buying in superior product made in inhumane conditions. This is the stigma they so desperately want to shake. They want the world to know the elevated standards of their industry, the devastation the collapse caused and that with the high bar the government has subsequently set, how much better the workers conditions are. Women’s health facilities, daycare so that mothers can breastfeed, subsidized grocery stores….

I’m not suggesting for a second that there aren’t factories that slip under the radar, of course there are in any third world country, in China or even Australia but what I am saying is that there has been a tidal wave of change in this country and they are desperate for the world to know.

J: What sets people of Bangladesh apart, what is their way of life or attitude that we can perhaps learn from?

H:Their tenacity and pride jump out at you. The women are vulnerable but quietly bold. The men are old-world but slowly shifting their mindset towards a more equal world. One man I met over there was telling me, with ‘beaming pride’ that he was a ‘new world thinker’ – he was a single widower raising his daughter. He told me with such joy in his eyes how he and his daughter would write each other poetry and make study fun as he was determined she would have the same education and opportunities as the boys.